Ben Roethlisberger http://www.jaguarscheapstore.com/a.j.-bouye-jersey-cheap , SteelersWould you be shocked if I told you Big Ben leads the league passing yards per game? To what greater degree would your surprise be if I told you he only has one wide receiver in the top 30 for yards per game?The Steelers have six players with at least 10 receptions, and of those only one is under 9 yards per catch. The only quarterback not to throw for over 335 yards against the Falcons was Nick Foles in week 1. Ben is going to spread the ball around, andthe Falcons will suffer for it.Projection: 365 yards, 4 touchdowns and 1 interceptionQB Blake Bortles, JaguarsLast year Bortles was abysmal away from home, posting a 55.6% completion rate to go with his six touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Traveling to Arrowhead is a hostile environment to better his only other road game of the season, week 1 at the Giants.Kansas City fields an awful passing defense, yielding 328 yards per game. Dee Ford is questionable and Eric Berry is doubtful. If you believe in patterns, this is an Average Blake game but for that to happen Bortles will need to implode. The matchup favors a big day for Blake.Projection: 313 yards, 2 touchdowns to go with 41 yards rushing and 1 touchdownRB Joe Mixon, BengalsDo not let the knee injury deter you from taking Mixon off your bench. This is the same guy that averaged 4 ypc against the Ravens. He is a threat on the ground, through the air, and with Giovani Bernard out with an injury the only candidate to spell him is rookie Mark Walton. Miami is not only stinging from a beating from the Patriots, but they also travel to Paul Brown stadium beat up on the defensive side of the ball. When Mixon was health the Bengals were more balanced. I do not expect them to lean on Andy as they have been.Projection: 87 yards rushing, 4 receptions for 41 yards and 2 total touchdownsRB Chris Thompson, RedskinsAdrian Peterson...will he or won’t he be healthy? If you’re like me, how Thompson was used in the ‘Skins game against the Packers left you pounding sand. But it made sense. Run as much as possible to keep Rodgers off the field.The Monday night matchup against the Saints screams a big night for Thompson. Facing a top five rushing defense in the Saints should require Alex Smith to give his favorite receiving target all the looks he deserves. Consider that even though the Saints stopped Saquan Barkley on the ground, he did manage six receptions for 56 yards.Projection: 8 receptions for 72 yards, 4 rushes, 12 yards, and 1 touchdownWR Antonio Brown, SteelersIf you have Ben and Brown, pair them.Number 84 should be a must start, however you may have good reason to reconsider that truth. Ju Ju has stepped up as the go to, and even the tight end position has become a dual threat in the Steel City.After week 5 last year Antonio Brown already had three games of 10 or more receptions, and in those games had no less than 110 yards. He started this season with two games of 9 receptions, but has then gone six and five. That said, he’s had a touchdown in three of the four games this year.He joked about his “wi-fi” relationship with Ben. Foreshadowing.Projection: 10 receptions for 129 yards and 2 touchdownsWR Marques Valdes-Scantling, PackersWho? What?Yes, I’m going to make an argument that you start a guy with two receptions on four targets. Yes, I’m going to try to look smart by going deep into the bag of sleepers. Here is why I’m calling his name.Davante Adams: calf injury. Geronimo Allison: concussion. Randall Cobb: hamstring (ruled out). Green Bay signed DeAngelo Yancey due to fear of receiver depth. Look, this isn’t a “sit Julio Jones” recommendation, but if you are looking for help, Scantling is worth the risk. His speed makes him a big play thread.Projection: 6 receptions for 83 yards and 1 touchdownTE Vance McDonald Youth Keelan Cole Jersey , SteelersYeah, I’m leaning heavily on the Steelers. Guilty. So what. If there is another tight end rising like Vance let me know. The Falcons defense has yielded 9 passing touchdowns this season, and they get a Steelers team dealing with bad press and coming off a loss to the Ravens. McDonald is getting roughly five looks a game and is taking away touches from Jesse James. If Pittsburgh puts up less than 40 points I’ll be surprised.Projection: 6 receptions for 62 yards and 1 touchdownTE Ricky Seals-Jones, CardinalsThis may appear like another “Oh, smart guy!” pick, but Jones is in a perfect spot to be the outlet for Josh Rosen. While Jones did see more balls when Sam Bradford was under center, (who also threw him his only touchdown) against Seattle, with Rosen starting, his two receptions totalled 52 yards.The 49ers have yielded a touchdown to a tight end in each of their games this season.Projection: 5 receptions for 73 yards and 1 touchdownK Robbie Gould, 49ersReliable Robbie Gould. He is a perfect 10 for 10 on field goals. He hasn’t taken a single try from beyond 50 yards, but who cares. The San Francisco offense can move the ball even without Jimmy Garrapalo, and this is going to give Gould his opportunities. Against the Cardinals your kicker is good for at least 8 points.Projection: 3 for 3 on field goals and 2 extra pointsK Justin Tucker, RavensIf your league scores based on field goal distance then you have to like Tucker. In spite of their low ranking I like the Browns to give the Ravens some trouble. Because of this Isee more of Justin Tucker.Projection: 4 for 4 on field goals and 1 extra pointDefense CowboysI do not trust the Texans offensive line against the Cowboys front four. DeMarcus Lawrence leads the league in sacks, and Houston can’t protect WatsonProjection: 16 points, 6 sacks, and 2 total turnoversDefense PanthersUntil the Giants show me they can optimize their talent I refuse to believe they can put up points. The Panthers are mean and balanced and this just looks bad for Eli.Projection: 10 points, 4 sacks and 4 total turnoversSITQB Marcus Mariota, TitansYou are probably on a Mariota High after last weeks overtime win over the Eagles. Do not fall for it this week. The Bills are banged up on the defensive side of the ball, specifically at the back, but they are improving with every passing week. Buffalo will hold their own at home, and Tennessee will more than likely pound the rock.Projection: 208 yards passing, 43 yards rushing, and 1 touchdownQB Andy Dalton, BengalsThe move may be to see Dalton as the fire for this offense with the Bengals banged up at running back, but I don’t believe Mixon is too hurt to take the load off Andy. Miami’s defense isbetter than last week, and with Mixon on the field Andy will yield to balance.Projection: 235 yards passing, 2 touchdowns and 1 interceptionRB LeSean McCoy, BillsMcCoy is having a year that tells you he has jumped the shark. Add to that he is up against a Titans defense that is an iron wall against the run. LeSean should be benched for the season unless the matchup proves too appealing.Projection: 32 yards rushing, 28 yards receivingRB Dalvin Cook, EaglesThe rumors are he may see the field. Do not believe it. The hamstring is doing to him what it’s doing to Fournette. Cook will not play.Projection: He will be benched due to injuryWR Devin Funchess, PanthersThe hope for Devin is that he would become the go to receiver for Cam. It hasn’t happened. Devin hasn’t topped 100 yards, only has 1 touchdown, and gets a Giants team that should shut him down. Projection: 4 receptions for 62 yardsWR Corey Davis, TitansLast week’s game was an anomaly. Prior to facing the Eagles defense Corey was averaging roughly 50 yards per game. That said Youth Austin Seferian-Jenkins Jersey , his numbers dropped when Mariota got injured so you should expect him to get more looks. I just don’t like the matchup.Projection: 5 receptions for 51 yardsTE Austin Hooper, FalconsEvery week I think he is going to be more utilized, and every week I am wrong. There are simply too many options for Matt Ryan at wide receiver. The matchup is favorable, or at least it appears to be, facing a Steelers defense that isn’t good against the pass. If you have to play him, play him, but it’s boom or bust. He hasn’t been targeted more than five times in any game.Projection: 4 receptions for 59 yardsTE Jared Cook, RaidersCook’s had two monster games, and two pedestrian games. I didn’t see him blowing up against the Browns, and that makes this a promising start. However, this big rivalry should see the Chargers making it much more difficult for Cook to get those numbers. Projection: 5 receptions for 51 yardsDefense VikingsI no longer believe in you Minnesota, especially against the pass. There isn’t a world where I see the Eagles not throwing up all the points.Projection: 35 points, 2 sacksDefense TexansThis is an interesting sit because I think the matchup is favorable. Dallas doesn’t throw the ball well, but they also don’t turn the ball over. I don’t see Houston’s defense getting the fantasy value.Projection: 13 points, 2 sacksK Brett Mahrer, CowboysTough defensive matchup for the Cowboys offense in a game where I don’t see much scoring.Projection: 2 for 2 on field goals and 1 extra pointK Aldrick Rosas, GiantsRosas is a reliable kicker, but the Giants face a Panthers defense that should limit their offensive production, and scoring opportunities.Projection: 1 for 1 on field goals and 1 extra point5 questions with Pats Pulpit: What to expect from the Patriots in the AFC Championship rematch The Jacksonville Jaguars take on the New England Patriots in a highly-anticipated early season matchup on Sunday evening and the world will be watching. The game is going to draw a huge crowd into TIAA Bank Field as the powerhouses of the AFC battle it out. The rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game — a dramatic 24-20 victory for the Patriots — is going to allow us to determine where exactly Jacksonville stands in this league. To help us gain more insights into what the 2018 Patriots look like, and what we can expect on Sunday, I spoke with Bernd Buchmasser, editor and senior writer for Pats Pulpit— SB Nation’s source for all things New England Patriots. 1. What are the biggest changes for the New England Patriots as a team in 2018 compared to the team from the AFC Championship?Bernd: The Patriots have had some serious turnover since January as multiple of starters from the AFC Championship Game are now gone: left tackle Nate Solder, wide receivers Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola, running back Dion Lewis, and cornerback Malcolm Butler all wear different uniforms this season. While the majority of those offseason losses impact the team’s offense, the biggest changes – next to Butler – actually came on defense: coordinator Matt Patricia is now the Lions’ head coach, with Brian Flores taking over (he’s not the official coordinator yet but basically fills the role). The change can be seen as a positive one so far as the unit looked solid against the Texans and their mobile quarterback. Part of that has to do with the improved depth up front: defensive tackle Danny Shelton, defensive edges Adrian Clayborn and Keionta Davis, and linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Ja’Whaun Bentley all did not play in the AFC title game – and all of them filled big roles last week.2. If you were an opposing offensive coordinator, how would you attack the New England defense? If you were a defensive coordinator, how would you combat the Patriots’ offense?Bernd: At its core, New England’s defensive philosophy is this: make teams leave their comfort zone. You love throwing to your tight end? The Patriots will try to take it away. You love stretch runs? The Patriots... well, you get the idea. The key to beating this is easier said than done but basically boils down to putting your depth players in a position to be successful. The Jaguars were able to do that during the first two quarters of last year’s AFC Championship Game when Corey Grant was a successful receiving option out of the backfield. Teams should not be afraid to use their rotational pieces to try to get an advantage. Also, if I were an offensive coordinator going against the Patriots I would try to control the clock at all costs whether it is by running the football or calling high-percentage passing plays. Of course http://www.jaguarscheapstore.com/malik-jackson-jersey-cheap , it’s all easier said than done.Speaking of easier said than done: defending the Patriots’ offense. What makes New England’s attack so dangerous is that it constantly finds mismatches to exploit – no matter if it is Rob Gronkowski to pull away attention from other players, using shifty running backs against coverage linebackers, or running the football in would-be obvious passing situations. Ultimately, I would do the following against the type of offense and personnel the Patriots use – especially if I had the defensive talent Jacksonville has: try to create pressure with just four men, take away the underneath coverage zones with the athletically impressive linebackers, and play physical on-man coverage on the perimeter. With New England currently not having a player to beat press-man coverage on a consistent basis (other than Rob Gronkowski), this could – *could* – create problems.3. What were your takeaways after one game? How do you see this season going for the Patriots?Bernd: I’ll answer the second question first: if New England doesn’t lose one of it superstars to injury, it would be a surprise if the team were not in it until the very end. While there might still be some issues early on during the year considering the ragtag group of wideouts the team currently uses, they will likely look like the old boring Patriots again – aka. one of the best teams in all of football. Sunday’s game against the Texans only added to this feeling: not all was perfect, but the defense looked much more cohesive a unit than it did for most of last year and the offense still found ways to get the job done despite all the personnel turnover it experienced since February.4. What about this Jaguars team concerns you, and on the flip side, do you see any potential weaknesses the Pats may be able to exploit?Bernd: One word: defense. Phillip Dorsett might be able to carry you past the Kareem Jacksons and Jonathan Josephs of this world, but he and the rest of the Patriots’ offensive skill position players will have to bring their absolute A-game to be successful against Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye and company. That’s not to say that they can’t do it – New England was quite successful the last time the two teams met, even with Gronkowski playing not even two full quarters – but there is no Danny Amendola around this time to serve as Tom Brady’s safety blanket. So if things do not go according to plan offensively, is there anybody to step up and fill the role Amendola filled last year? Gronkowski might be the answer but he will naturally be the Jaguars’ center of attention all game. And if nobody else rises to the challenge, it could be a long one for New England.I hate to do, I really do, because I know it reeks of a lack of creativity... but the potential weakness I see has to be Blake Bortles. Quarterback is the most important position in all of football and Bortles has shown little improvement when it comes to consistency and decision making over the course of his career. That doesn’t mean he is a bad player, but I think his ability to carry the offense appears to be limited especially when he has to leave his comfort zone. If New England can keep him in the pocket by rushing in a disciplined manner (something they were mostly able to do last week against Houston) an simultaneously take away his go-to guys in the passing game – I’m primarily speaking Yeldon and Cole –, good things might happen from the Patriots’ perspective.5. With Jeremy Hill lost for the season and placed on IR, and the recent additions of Corey Coleman and Bennie Fowler (Go Green!), do you expect the offense to change at all this week, or are these roster moves inconsequential as the players ease into the system?Bernd: I think the latter is more likely. It would surprise me if Coleman and Fowler grew into reliable players that quickly – the Patriots’ system is notoriously hard to learn for newcomers, especially ones that did not have the benefit of training camp. Fowler does have a better chance, though, to see action early on: he has plenty of experience on special teams and could be used on the punt and kickoff units. Offensively, however, neither is projected to see plenty of snaps this week.6. Bonus for fun: final score prediction?Bernd: 21-20 Patriots.Thank you to Bernd for taking the time to speak with me, and for providing terrific analysis. Follow him on Twitter, and to keep up with Patriots news and insights, check out Pats Pulpit as well. And never forget...Myles Jack wasn’t down!
